Gregor MacGregor is often referred to as one of the biggest conmen and scammers in history. Nowadays, Nigerian princes try to lure you into sending money promising a lot of gold, but Gregor had a way more elaborate scam. Read on to find out.

Born into a noble Scottish family, MacGregor served in the British Army during his early career. He led an adventurous life fighting in South America for new countries such as Venezuela and New Granada in their independence wars against Spain and gained a taste for wealth. Gregor was quite successful and received honors as a Venezuelan general.

In 1821 Gregor MacGregor returned to Britain and claimed that King George Frederic Augustus of the Mosquito Coast (this really existed) made him the chief of a fictional Central American country called Poyais which he described as a developed colony with British settlers.

MacGregor captivated people with stories of unexplored territories, exotic lands and described Poyais as a tropical paradise full of resources and opportunities. He started selling interested people land certificates and Poyasian government bonds. To lure more investors, he created detailed maps, pamphlets, and even a constitution for this fake country.

After a while people who had bought land certificates started to plan their journey to Poyais to start a new life. The first group of settlers arrived in Poyais in 1823, only to find a harsh and uninhabitable jungle. No resources, no developed colony and certainly no paradise. Half of the settlers died of tropical diseases and fewer than 50 returned.

Although some settlers blamed the emigration party and 'local authorities' for the failed expedition, the scam became clear and MacGregor decided to flee to France where he continued his 'business'.

In France he was caught after 3 years, escaped conviction and returned to Britain where he continued yet again with similar schemes. Finally, in 1838 he moved to Venezuela which welcomed him back as war hero and there he lived a quite life until his death in 1845.

The part of Honduras that MacGregor claimed to be Poyais, the promised paradise, is still undeveloped. 

Originally posted on Instagram on November 12, 2023